How To Get That Public Relations Job

I was inspired to write this Hub, following a good friend's adventures in getting a Job in Public Relations. Readers of Hub pages might be surprised to discover that some of the skills needed for being Public Relations staff overlap the skills for having a successful online presence.

A good Third Level Education with either Bachelor's degree or Masters is obviously essential. Having a sound understanding of how Public relations works is also a prerequisite. Like all jobs you need a relevant qualification, but more so, you need to know when to take advice and when to ignore it. Public Relations takes study and hard work, but the slog is worth it. Some will warn you it is not for the faint-hearted. But never feel down-hearted by the knowing that this work brings you close to many other professions. If you are willing to tough it out, this is work that can reap big rewards.

The PR Personality

Hints for working in Public relations:

Don't be a Wallflower.Exude confidence.Be very net-workable.Be aware of Social Media.Multitasking is your forte, or else quit.Good writing skills - have them.Smile and be nice a lot.Have a thick Skin.Have Experience in dealing with people.Any knowledge or experience in Journalism equals "you might fit in here nicely".Punctuation and grammar must be top notch.Good Public Speaking skills essential.Know Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook like your family members.Prepare to accept criticisms.

When you work in Public relations, you will spend most of your job dealing with the media. And that means a lot of people and businesses across every kind of platform of communications.

The more the candidate knows how to utilize the internet and social media - the better. You are the liaison between your company and the outside world. One word out of place and you are toast! The firm's image and how it projects in to the world is down to you.

So PR is tough to get started in. Some new starters don't stick it for very long. Those that do are fast learners. Any person who has aimed for a tough career to break into, yet which yields a high return - will have seen that Public Relations has proven to be challenging, but very rewarding as a career. It's simply a matter of taking the next step.

Just what skills do you need besides the ones listed above? In academia you will learn among other things, Marketing Communications, Business Communications, Social Skills, Writing and Campaign planning, and Finance.

In the UK, to be CIPR credited (Chartered Institute of Public Relations), students are required to study finance, since many will go on to form their own businesses afterwards. Finance is essential to that career path. Public Relations is a Professional accredited Qualification now in most parts of the world, especially the USA, where PR skilled workers are in high demand.

A Salary in the USA for Public Relations staff typically as a median figure is $52 K to $65 K. Many companies will pay more than that based on your experience. And there are approximately 7,200 PR businesses in the USA alone.

Does PR really work? | Source

So, to approach this line of professional work, first asses your skill set. Do you have what it takes? If you are for example already studying Advertising and tired of it, perhaps you need to ask some people familiar with PR if it might be better to jump into PR. If you have a Journalistic slant on things but don't quite fancy being in the media - again Public Relations could be your forte.

After you have written an Oscar winning resume and that CV shines like a bright new button extolling your achievements - and you have also got an Online Resume somewhere - like on LinkedIn.com - it's time to apply for jobs.

Your Social media Bio on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, LinkedIn or whatever - should have your information, and a link to your resume. This is how jobs applications are becoming now, more and more web-based. By proving that you are not only findable online but net-savvy - helps you even more. Perception is everything in this business.

Public Relations | Source

Use traditional and social media research to check out companies or agencies you want to apply to. A lot of work in the UK for PR is with agencies. Learn how this business works. Don't approach it coldly as though you are a fish out of water.

Some half of all New Hires in the USA are a result of someone you know or are networking with. Who you know is just as important as what you know, for when it comes to job hunting. And companies will look at 200 resumes before giving that position to that one candidate. So prepare for lots of competition. And employers check out your online status and background, because no one wants to hire a jerk. Would You Hire You?

So after all this, would you still work in Public Relations? In the USA, expect universities there to offer Public Relations courses as more Student Enterprise opportunities, given how Education there is a breeding ground now for the next Industry innovators and student entrepreneurs. We are talking about turning students into the next Larry page, Serge Brin or Mark Zuckerberg. In America, students are encouraged by the public and private sectors to take what they learn in a field of study, and take it to a Business level. Here is what my friend told me after a few months working in a UK company and earning a good salary - with a down payment on a home already planned...

"Are the stories about the hardships in finding work here true? Yes. Some people have to do internships now, but I tell friends to stick with it. There are close similarities to advertising and that is a kind of sales area. You are selling a company to the customer or to someone else. What I do is probably closer to marketing now. But...is Public Relations worth doing for a living? Yes. It's high demand work. In a few years when I have the experience and connections I will have my own business."

How do I get that Public Relations Job? | Source

Getting that Public Relations job is tricky and tough. But for the most determined candidates, the effort is well worth it. The work is basically consisting of the art and science of you making a company, media outlet, firm, Entertainment Personality, Government or NGO look good. Everybody needs to have a good image nowadays, no matter who it is. And having PR staff with skills and experience makes them look better. Given the current dip in the popularity of some industries recently - and taking into account the fact that some people need an IMAGE makeover, working in Public Relations is the place to be. If this is the kind of work you feel comfortable with, now that you know more about it - give it a shot! Spread the word! Good luck in finding that job in Public Relations!

Comments

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Author

Cassandra Mantis 3 years agofrom UK and Nerujenia

Hey Neil, hubs seems to be getting better and more diverse and interesting these days. Now that Lenses are being added from Squidoo, I mean. More interesting writing happening.

Don't worry about the not having a piece of paper on the wall that shows off credentials, there are lots of people with experience and knowledge that mean more that those bits of paper. It's just that employers are so darn picky these days! LOL!

Stay happy yourself, big man! Aw me a gem? Naaaah! Hahaha!

Mwah :)

Neil Sperling 3 years agofrom Port Dover Ontario Canada

Hi Cassy - I don't spend a lot of time here on Hubs - but glad I looked you up to red this. As always insightful and educational. A 3rd level education may only be street smart and thus no piece of paper on the wall is my only observation that I am not 118% in line with you. The trick then is to garner attention to get the job.

Thanks and keep Happy - you are a "Gem" ... Love - Light - Laughter

Author

Cassandra Mantis 3 years agofrom UK and Nerujenia

Hey joedolphin88, pleased to have you on board. PR is a great area and we can all learn from it.

WriterJanis - you are right, the work is interesting as my friend who works in PR has a varied career and it's never boring. It is pressure sometimes as the work means having to put a certain side forwards all the time and it takes effort and consistency. But I learn a lot of great things from PR, and we can all use that approach to putting our writing and work out there

Janis 3 years agofrom California

This kind of work sounds quite interesting, but I would imagine that with all of the challenges one could face, that there could be a lot of pressure involved.

Joe 3 years agofrom north miami FL

Absolutely, happy to read and be one of your followers.

Author

Cassandra Mantis 3 years agofrom UK and Nerujenia

Hey joedolphin88, that's good to know. Well done on being a marketing graduate. Even if Bill Hicks famously once said as an advisory to all people working in sales and marketing, to go kill themselves - he was referring to lost causes! LOL! And he was doing a comedy routine at the time. ("Revelations" if I am not mistaken.)

I hope the key information is useful to everyone! Having that extra knowledge and detail on marketing insights can make a difference to someone who is publishing things like Hubs.

I hope the article invigorates your appetite to delve more into the wonderful world of marketing. Cheers!

Joe 3 years agofrom north miami FL

Impressive article, you definitely lead the reader to some truly key info. I know as a Marketing graduate the difficulties finding that PR role.

Awesome job on your hub! I actually worked in PR for years at a Marketing job. But Now I am happily operating my own spa biz and a mentor for BeautiControl! Loving it! Again great article! Lots of wonderful content!

Author

Cassandra Mantis 4 years agofrom UK and Nerujenia

Cheers, Girish! Have a great week!

Girish puri 4 years agofrom NCR , INDIA

Very much useful hub by Cassey, Thanks and God bless you.

Author

Cassandra Mantis 5 years agofrom UK and Nerujenia

Cheers, Cathy! Always appreciate some hub love! LOL!

Cathy Nerujen 5 years agofrom Edge of Reality and Known Space

This is a great hub, Cassy. You should do more like it. :)

Author

Cassandra Mantis 5 years agofrom UK and Nerujenia

Good to see you girishpuri! Hey PR is the in thing to have as a job! We have some famous people in PR in the UK who started life in more modest jobs! Public relations is the job to have! Personally I won't give up my own job, just yet! LOL!

Cheers!

Girish puri 5 years agofrom NCR , INDIA

PR job is very challenging, and yes this very much suits to the people who are ready to accept and face the new challenges and opportunities and I am cheeky girl must be doing wonders in her profession, god bless.

Author

Cassandra Mantis 5 years agofrom UK and Nerujenia

Hey DDE, thanks for that comment. Everyone needs to know about their job and be able to understand things, and be clear about what they say and do, both in their job, and in their hubs.

Devika Primić 5 years agofrom Dubrovnik, Croatia

Challenges worth facing in your benefit and it is best to know more about your job for the well informed hub

Author

Cassandra Mantis 5 years agofrom UK and Nerujenia

Hy Nell. The qualifications might seem excessive, but then it is viewed as a professional qualified job and is recognized by many employers everywhere. Standardizing is the way to go I think. Actually the business and financial side to the learning is a good thing. It better preps the student for what's ahead! It's high demand work. It should reflect the real world as much as possible.

Thanks Nell for the comment here!

Hey Fehl! Great seeing you here! yes, Public relations is tough but it is a viable job in these less than job viable times. Does that make sense?

I'm seeing lots of women coming out of University with degrees and few job prospects... It is depressing. Guys too, of course! Marketing does overlap with PR, and do does Advertising, yes!

They interact a lot. And yes even media overlaps PR now. I love that they are equipping students for the way ahead and enabling them to eventually set up their own businesses. I would love to see more of this in virtually every area in University curriculum. And Secondary School here too!

Yes I am back on the hubs! Been quiet and have been busy with lots of other stuff! Great to see moi fave Pinay babe here! :)

twentyfive 5 years ago

Excellent hub about getting that PR job. It's quite linked to Marketing, Advertising and Social Media Enthusiast only specific. I think lots of connection and exposure to the corporate world will help the candidate. Also be believable and always know what you're saying and what not to say :p Tough job it is! Heh. Cheers! I'm happy you're back here my curly cheeky friend :)

Nell Rose 5 years agofrom England

Sounds like a fascinating job, mind you the qualifications do seem quite a lot for this particular job, but if you have the savvy and the confidence then it really is a great job!

Author

Cassandra Mantis 5 years agofrom UK and Nerujenia

Hy Ruby! People are discovering the secrets of PR from every angle now. And the more they are curious, the more information they need. So that was what inspired it. Well, that and an interesting weekend conversation with an old friend who works in PR now.

I hope it does help too. Glad you liked my hub! Cheers!

Ruby Jean Fuller 5 years agofrom Southern Illinois

Great info. I'm sure it will help others who are interested in this line of work. Thank you for sharing...

Author

Cassandra Mantis 5 years agofrom UK and Nerujenia

That's a good point, Cath! I asked him, and still have no reply. If he says yes, I will add him. Adding his company would be a bonus but I need his permission too, out of decency I think!

Yes, PR is a great field to work in and it pays dividends for those who stick with it. The CIPR have made it very respectable in the UK and it is regulated as a result. Media, advertising, marketing and PR are all very similar and do overlap a lot.

Hy mpropp, you seem to have graduated before the new internet was what it has become now! That's like roads before cars or something! LOL!

Mass Communications is a great area to work as it takes in so many things. I would imagine the curriculum would be different and probably more appropriate to what is in vogue now. So hopefully better! Thanks for the comments! Cheers!

Melissa Propp 5 years agofrom Minnesota

Very interesting hub. My degree was actually Mass Communications with an emphasis in Public Relations. So PR is near and dear to my heart! Of course, I graduated way back in '93....so the whole "internet thing" wasn't being used its recognizable form! I can only imagine if I went back to college now, how different the curriculum would be....

I didn't end up going into the field, but the skills really do transcend into a lot of different areas.

Cathy Nerujen 5 years agofrom Edge of Reality and Known Space

Wow... this gets my attention. You should add his name, Cassy. Or is that allowed I wonder? Anyway a brilliant Job hub from you as always. You used to work in recruitment anyway. I envy you now again... hah har...

You make Public Relations actually sound like a good job to have.... :)